{"id":30986,"date":"2026-06-08T13:30:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-08T20:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/?p=30986"},"modified":"2026-06-08T15:27:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T22:27:46","slug":"update-new-world-screwworm-detected-in-texas-new-mexico-california-remains-clear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plantingseedsblog.cdfa.ca.gov\/wordpress\/index.php\/2026\/06\/08\/update-new-world-screwworm-detected-in-texas-new-mexico-california-remains-clear\/","title":{"rendered":"Update: New World Screwworm detected in Texas, New Mexico; California remains clear\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has confirmed that the New World Screwworm \u2013 an invasive, destructive parasite \u2013 has been detected in Texas and New Mexico, marking the the pest’s first incursion into the United States since it was successfully eradicated in the 1960s. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Status for California <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are currently NO confirmed detections of New World Screwworm in California. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is actively monitoring the situation and working closely with local, state, and federal health officials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is New World Screwworm? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly that poses a severe threat to warm-blooded animals, including livestock, wildlife, pets, and, in very rare cases, humans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unlike common black flies that eat dead tissue, screwworm larvae (maggots) feed on living tissue inside open wounds. Their feeding expands and deepens the wound, attracting more flies to lay eggs. If left untreated, this cycle can be fatal to the animal. Female flies only mate once in their lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The previous infestation in the US was eliminated using the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT), a process where sterile male flies are released into the wild to prevent reproduction. USDA resumed release of these sterile flies along the southern U.S. border in response to the parasite’s current spread. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key Takeaways for Animal Owners and the Public <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Because of the screwworm’s spread northward through Central America and Mexico into Texas and New Mexico, California is taking proactive steps to protect our agricultural economy, wildlife, and workers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more than a year, veterinarians and CDFA experts have been engaged in detection and outreach activities with producers and colleagues at the federal, state, and local levels. Our staff is in constant contact with our One Health partners at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to maintain surveillance and response preparedness. The One Health approach is a collaborative concept<\/a> that recognizes and addresses the close link between human, animal, and environmental health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Best Practices<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We need the help of all California animal owners to keep this pest out of our state. Please follow these best practices: <\/p>\n\n\n\n